Newsweek calls it a "global civil rights revolution." Around the world, gays and lesbians are making dramatic strides, but in some countries, being gay could get you killed or land you in prison.

According to the U.S. State Department, intercourse between two people of the same sex in Uganda is punishable by life in prison. In Algeria, homosexuality is illegal, viewed as a moral abomination, and "honor killings" by family members are reportedly common. In Nigeria, men convicted of having sexual relations with other men can be stoned to death. In Saudi Arabia, gay men have been beheaded in public squares. In 2001, 52 Egyptian men who were suspected of being gay were imprisoned and tortured.

Iran is considered one of the most dangerous places on earth to be gay. According to a report by the U.S. State Department, sex between two men in Iran is illegal and punishable by death. International human rights groups say some men received 100 lashes simply because of their sexual orientation. Two teenagers were hanged publicly in 2005, with many saying it was because they were gay.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stunned Americans in September 2007 when he said, "We don't have homosexuals like in your country. We do not have this phenomenon." Weeks later, President Ahmadinejad said he was misquoted and that Iran does not have as many gay people when compared to the United States.